Please submit listings by going online to metromix.com/listings.
PREVIEWS AND OPENINGS — CITY
Lesbians Who Kill:
This satiric take on the Aileen Wuomos case (depicted in the movie “Monster”) combines musical numbers, parody and re-created film moments to explore causes that could motivate women — and lesbians in particular — to commit murder; previews Fri.-Sun.; opens Mon.; through July 27. 8 p.m. Mon., Thu.; $15-$25. Bailiwick Repertory Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-883-1090 .
Lookingglass Alice:
Lookingglass revives their retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, which employs acrobatics to illustrate a young woman’s wonderland journey through the mirror to become queen; opens Wed.; through Aug. 3. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu.; $30-$60, tickets: lookingglasstheatre.org. Presented by Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Actors Gymnasium. Lookingglass Theatre in the Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-337-0665 .
Rag and Bone:
In this dramedy about human organs sold on the black market, a poet loses his heart, a hooker obtains a heart of gold and a man who receives his deceased mom’s heart begins wearing dresses and cooking pot roasts; opens Sat.; through July 27. 8 p.m. Sat., Thu.; 7 p.m. Sun.; $10-$20, tickets: rubicontheatreproject.org. Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway; 773-466-1835 . Ren Faire! A Fistful of Ducats:
A new comedy in which actors at a Renaissance Faire get into a turf war with performers from the Wild West show across the interstate; opens Fri.; through Aug. 2. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; $20 (benefit performance: $30), tickets: thefactorytheater.com. Presented by Factory Theater at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave.; 773-539-7838 .
The Story of Francis and Wild Gil:
A bluegrass musical comedy about two Dust Bowl bank robbers who escape from jail to build a rocket to get to the moon; opens Thu.; through July 13. 7:30 p.m. Thu.; $12, tickets: gorillatango.com. Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-598-4549 .
Superior Donuts:
A world premiere comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Letts, in which an older Polish man who owns a decrepit Uptown bakery clashes with his only employee, an African-American teenager who wants to upgrade the shop; previews Fri.-Sun.; opens Sun.; through Aug. 17. 6 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu.; $20-$68, tickets: steppenwolf.org. Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St.; 312-335-1650 .
Termen Vox Machina:
A sci-fi radio-style drama performed with pre-recorded soundscape, pantomime and multimedia which follows the fictional adventures of real-life Russian scientist, spy and theremin (electronic musical instrument) inventor Lev Termen; opens Sat.; through Aug. 3. 8 p.m. Sat., Thu.; 7 p.m. Sun.; $18 suggested donation, reservations: oracletheatre.org. Presented by Oracle Productions at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway; 773-244-2980 .
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind:
The longest-running show in Chicago, it’s a one-hour blitz of 30 extremely brief plays; opens Wed.; through July 6. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu.; $17.50. Presented by Neo-Futurists at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive; 312-742-7994 .
For more listings: metromix.com.
PREVIEWS AND OPENINGS — SUBURBAN
The Melville Boys:
Chaos ensues when an irresponsible, middle-age single man, vacationing at a family cottage, attempts to arrange dates for himself and his uptight, married brother, with two neighboring sisters. The comedy was penned by Canadian Norm Foster (“The Affections of May”)’; preview Thu.; opens July 5; through July 27. $20-$30, tickets: AtTheMAC.org. McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; 630-942-4000 .
For more listings: metromix.com.
CONTINUING — CITY
4Play:
13Carat Productions performs four one-act dramas by artistic director Michael Bassett; through Sun. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.; $10-$20, tickets: theatrebuildingchicago.org. Presented by 13Carat Productions at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252 .
Ain’t Misbehavin’:
Resident director Chuck Smith directs the classic musical by Murray Horwitz, Richard Maltby Jr. and Thomas “Fats” Waller about 1930s Harlem. Features “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Mean to Me” and other Waller tunes performed by a live quintet; through July 31. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; $15-$70, tickets: goodmantheatre.org. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; 312-443-3800 .
Be More Chill:
In this comedy based on Ned Vizzini’s young adult novel of the same title, a teenage nerd with an unrequited crush discovers a machine that teaches him how to dress, speak, kiss, act and exercise. Recommended for ages 16 and older; through July 6. 7:45 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2:45 p.m. Sun.; 7:45 p.m. Thu.; $15-$24, tickets: theatrebuildingchicago.org. Presented by Griffin Theatre Company at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252 .
Beggars in the House of Plenty:
An autobiographical surrealist comedy by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner John Patrick Shanley (“Doubt,” “Moonstruck”) about his experiences growing up in the Bronx in the ’50s and ’60s; through July 6. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu.; $10-$22. Presented by Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. at Angel Island Theater, 731 W. Sheridan Rd.; 773-871-0442 .
Bloody Bess: A Tale of Piracy and Revenge:
A 17th Century swashbuckling drama in which an upper-crust young woman transforms into a ruthless pirate captain after she’s kidnapped at sea in the West Indies; through July 20. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; $18-$20, tickets: dcatheater.org. Presented by BackStage Theatre in association with Chicago DCA Theater at Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St.; 312-742-8497 .
Bodyslam! The Rise and Fall of CAWC:
A comedic epic in which two innocent brothers struggle against sinister promoters, steroid use and emerging egos when they join the world of professional wrestling. Expect original songs, a Battle Royale and an onstage ring; through July 18. 10 p.m. Fri.; $15, tickets: theannoyance.com. Presented by Annoyance Productions at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665 .
Marry Me, You Idiot!:
A world premiere comedy about the blossoming romance between a man and woman who meet on a TV talk show after losing their partners to strange and sudden deaths; through Aug. 29. 8 p.m. Fri.; $15, tickets: theannoyance.com. Presented by the Annoyance Theatre at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665 .
Much Ado About Nothing:
Chaos ensues in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy when an engaged couple attempts to trick a bachelor into marrying his verbal sparring partner. Performed outdoors; BYO picnic, bug spray and blanket or lawn chair; through Aug. 3. 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; donations accepted. Presented by GroundUp Theatre at Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk St.; 773-764-9916 .
The Mysterious Elephant, and the Terrible Tragedy of the Unlikely Addington Twins* (*Who Kill Him):
In this musical dramedy by local playwright Emily Schwartz (“Mr. Spacky … the Man Who Was Continuously Followed by Wolves”), a brother and sister attempt to extract themselves from the tragic story in which they’ve been placed. Expect puppets, a large mechanical elephant and a confrontation with weapon-wielding maidens; through July 19. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; $20-$40. Presented by the Strange Tree Group at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; 773-598-8240 .
The Nebraska Project:
In this drama inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album “Nebraska,” a bridge that links a rural New Jersey river island to the mainland collapses, which leads to violence, identity struggles and community bonding; through July 19. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu.; $15. Presented by Bruised Orange Theater Company at Side Project Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave.; 773-588-9092 .
The Perfect Wave:
In this dark, surf rock musical satire, a band of surfers must win a contest to buy a popular local beach after a real estate conglomerate threatens to purchase and privatize the waterfront rights. Expect beach blanket teen love and tiki torch dance parties; through July 31. 8 p.m. Thu.; $10-$15, tickets: annoyanceproductions.com. Presented by the Annoyance Theater at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665 .
Pimprov:
Five actors portray pimps attempting to perform an improv comedy show. The Marz and Keith Show (Pimprov’s Marz Timms and Keith Smitherman) opens; through Sat. 8 p.m. Sat.; $10, tickets: cicomedy.com. Presented by Chemically Imbalanced Comedy and Bucky’s Planet Productions at Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park Rd.; 800-838-3006 .
Triple Feature:
A showcase of three one-act plays and/or musicals by three emerging directors. The plays (and directors) change every two weeks; open end. 8 p.m. Wed.; $5, tickets: theannoyance.com. Presented by Annoyance Productions at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665 .
True West:
In Sam Shepard’s classic drama, two brothers — one a striving professional, the other a drifter — scheme and scuffle over ill-fated dreams and mislaid plans; through July 13. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu.; $17-$30, tickets: redtwist.org. redtwist theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 773-728-7529 .
Unwrap Your Candy: An Evening of One Acts:
Three dark tales by Obie Award-winner Doug Wright (“Quills”). “Lot 13: The Bone Violin” is the tale of a young violin prodigy and his astonishing fate; “Wildwood Park,” explores society’s fascination with the misfortunes of others as exploited by the media; and in “Baby Talk,” a mother develops an unnatural relationship with her unborn child; through July 19. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Thu.; $15. Presented by Breadbasket Productions at Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield Ave.; 773-857-1887 .
War Garden:
In this site-specific, interactive historical drama set during WW I, a military vagabond and members of a ladies’ auxiliary clash over whether or not to use open land to grow vegetables for overseas troops. Performed outdoors; bring a blanket or lawn chair. Arrive at 5 p.m. for hands-on gardening and crafts activities; through July 27. 5:30 p.m. Sun.; $10 or pay-what-you-can. Presented by Walkabout Theater Company and NeighborSpace at Ginkgo Organic Garden, 4055 N. Kenmore Ave.; 773-527-0341 .
W;t:
Margaret Edson’s drama about a single female literature professor dying of cancer who struggles with the concepts of life, death and the afterlife; through July 6. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; $15-$25, tickets: thegifttheatre.org. the Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-283-7071 .
For more listings: metromix.com.
CONTINUING — SUBURBAN
The Full Monty:
In this musical adaptation of the film of the same title, six unemployed factory workers confront their inner demons when they attempt to raise cash by putting on an amateur strip show; through July 13. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $15-$30, tickets: village-players.org. Village Players Theatre of Oak Park, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park; 866-764-1010 .
Hay Fever:
In Noel Coward’s 1920s comedy of manners, a rude family invites acquaintances for a weekend visit so disastrous that the self-absorbed hosts don’t even notice as their guests sneak out; through Aug. 24. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $21-$24. Circle Theatre, 7300 Madison St., Forest Park; 708-771-0700 .
For more listings: metromix.com.
Discount tickets for various Chicago and suburban theater performances available through Hot Tix. For locations: hottix.org.
